The Bachelor Star Rachel Lindsay Talks About Her Elimination, Her Dad, and Her Goals As the Next Bachelorette

We knew Rachel Lindsay's elimination on The Bachelor was looming, but watching Nick Viall send her home on the latest episode still stung. Nick told us he had stronger feelings for Raven and Vanessa at that point, but you could have fooled us. In fact, at the "Women Tell All" special, it was clear that there's still plenty of chemistry between the two. (Did you see them continuously smile and laugh with each other?)

Still, we have to move on—and if all goes according to producers' plans, Rachel will find her match when she steps into the driver's seat come May. It shouldn't be too hard: She already has the perfect guy mapped out (but more on that below). But as the first Bachelorette of color, Rachel knows that simply finding the right guy won't be the season's biggest storyline. "I am proud to be a black woman and have this role and be the one chosen to step into it," she told Glamour at the "Women Tell All" taping. "Initially, it was like, ‘It’s new, I get it,’ but I just don’t want it to be something that it’s fixated on the rest of the season. Then I’ll be annoyed [if that’s the case]."

So what does the 31-year-old lawyer from Dallas want to talk about? For one, why someone can be a great catch and still find love elusive. "It's a very frustrating experience, so I hope to relate [my journey] to other women experiencing the same thing," she says. "It's not just [about] being the first African American Bachelorette, but being a 30-year-old career-driven woman. So many women are going to be like, ‘I get it!'"

Until then, we have lots to discuss—including her dad, whether she would have accepted a proposal from Nick, and that adorable onesie from the overnights. Read on.

Glamour: This is important: Your penguin onesie in Finland was so great. Did you really pack that or did the producers give it to you there?

Rachel Lindsay: Yes, I really did pack it! And I’m mad I didn’t make the joke [that we're] penguins, right? “Oh, Nick, it’s symbolic of us! It’s black and white!” [Laughs.] I forgot to say that. That onesie couldn’t be more me. Chill, laid-back, it’s whatever! I don’t know how to be anything other than myself. I really don’t.

Glamour: I know everyone is so excited that you’re the first black Bachelorette—and rightfully so—but I’m also excited that you’re the first Bachelorette in some time that’s in her thirties. If I hear one more 23-year-old complain that she’s never going to find a man, I might scream.

RL: [Laughs.] That’s hilarious! Thirty is the new 20, that’s what Jay-Z said!

Glamour: I’m in my thirties, and I’m sick of people saying, "Why are you still single?" Do you ever get that?

RL: A lot of people are like, "How are you single? You seem to check off every box on paper. You’re great!" And what I say is "Men love the idea of me, but when it comes to the reality of me, they can’t handle it." Whether it’s "You work too much," or "You’re too strong-willed, or "You’re so independent you don’t need me," it’s a very frustrating experience. I’m sure you can relate to it. What I love about this is that I feel like I can touch women on so many different levels. Not just being a woman, not just being the first African American Bachelorette, but being a 30-year-old career-driven woman. So many women are going to be like, "I get it! I understand what it is that she’s going through." Yes, on paper it’s great, but for some reason I find a lot of men become intimidated by that. I love that women are going to be able to relate to me in that sense.

Glamour: You said some amazing sound bites throughout the season. Two of my favorites were: (1) You don’t have to have black skin in our family, but you need thick skin. And (2) I love sports, but I don’t play games. Is there one piece of advice that you really live by?

RL: If you said to Nick, "What’s one thing Rachel says all the time?" it was "You know, I just keep it real." and "I just keep it 100." I said it all the time, but I mean it. I don’t know how to be anything else. I don’t get caught up in everything that’s around me. I’m just very direct, and I think that’s another thing with the intimidation thing. Some people can’t handle that I’m direct. I’m real and honest, and I take things day by day. That’s just the way to survive.

Glamour: Will we see your dad on The Bachelorette? We are dying to meet Mr. Lindsay.

RL: [Laughs.] Did you know Nick met my dad? He met my dad off-camera.

Glamour: Really?!

RL: Yeah, which is what I loved because it was a real-life experience. It wasn’t "Hey, we’re doing this for TV"; it was "Hey, I really want to talk to you about a future with your daughter." So, yeah, Nick met my dad off-camera.

Glamour: Did your dad just really not want to be on camera then?

RL: It’s just due to him being a federal judge and having high-profile cases. It’s just not a good look and is really frowned upon, so I’m sure no other judge has been in this experience. For him, he just wasn’t comfortable doing it, and everyone respected that. But he knew it was important for him to meet Nick because of how I was feeling, so he was there. He just wasn’t on camera. He met Nick, and they had their own separate conversation. I didn’t even see it. I don’t even know what they talked about.

Glamour: Will your dad come on The Bachelorette then?

RL: I don’t know. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens.

Glamour: What does he think about his daughter becoming the Bachelorette?

RL: My skepticism doesn’t come from no one. There’s a root to it, and it’s my family. Initially it’s the unknown and this Hollywood world; they were very skeptical of this process and me doing it, but seeing how I was portrayed and seeing Nick and I together, they became believers in it. That was very reassuring for me. Now they are very supportive of it. They want grandkids! [Laughs.]

RL: No, [because] in the moment if Nick had gotten down on one knee and put a ring on my finger, I would have said yes. I wanted it, but now everything happens for a reason. I just want Nick to be happy. If he’s found his happiness, then great, I support it. That’s just where we are. What you saw on "Women Tell All" was excitement because I had not seen him in three months. It was great to see each other.

Glamour: When you were on Ellen, you said you love a guy with a great smile. Who would be your ultimate guy if you were to merge two celebrities?

RL: I’m going to start off with Bieber! Everybody knows I’m a Biebs fan. I’m going to choose Bieber. Not because I like the way he looks—just that—but also his musical talent, he can play musical instruments, he can sing, so I want all that to come in. Idris Elba…between his accent and his tall, dark handsome man, I’m going to pull in there. And then I’m going to pull in Brad Pitt for his sensitivity. At least, what I’ve seen in his acting. Legends of the Fall is one of my favorite movies. He’s Tristan there. I fell in love with Tristan, and I’m still a fan today. I’m going to mix all that together! [Laughs.] Sign that man up!